bmi British Midland Installs Inflight Telemedicine Technology

30th Apr 2002

Showing commitment to passenger health and safety and the latest advances in
medical technology, bmi british midland
today became the first airline to
install Tempus 2000, an integrated telemedicine service, on all its long
haul flights.

Tempus 2000, developed by Remote Diagnostic Technologies Ltd
(RDT), will
enable bmi crew to obtain clinically accurate vital signs on any passenger
taken ill on a flight. The results will then be transmitted
instantaneously, to emergency medicine specialists manning the MedLink
service of MedAire inc. in America.

Tempus 2000 is the first remote medical monitoring device designed
specifically for non-expert use during a medical incident onboard an
aircraft. Using an inbuilt modem the device monitors a passenger`s blood
pressure, pulse rate, temperature, electrocardiogram (ECG), blood oxygen and
carbon dioxide levels. This data is then sent, via the inflight phone
system, to specialist physicians in the accident and emergency department of
the central teaching hospital in Phoenix, Arizona who can advise the crew of
the best course of action.

Austin Reid, chief executive officer at bmi said:
“Once again, bmi is at the forefront of product development
in the airline industry. By installing this ground breaking system on our
transatlantic services from Manchester, we are able to ensure that the best
possible medical advice is available to our passengers whilst making the
transatlantic crossing, irrespective of the aircraft`s altitude or distance
from land.”

bmi senior transatlantic crews have undergone extensive training on the
device with representatives from RDT and are already accustomed to using the
MedLink service. Now, if there is a medical problem during a flight, senior
cabin crew will carry the small portable case to the passenger requiring
assistance, connect to the satellite telephone system and then, while
speaking directly to the emergency physician, will send whatever medical
measurements are needed.

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Captain Graham Cresswell, chief medical officer at bmi said:
“In an era where there is increasing awareness of passenger
health issues, we are delighted to be the first airline to provide this
service for all our long haul passengers.

“It moves the management of inflight medical problems onto
an altogether different level of sophistication and gives us great
confidence that we can look after our passengers in the best way possible.”